Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer May 8-14

May 14, 2018 Editor News newsoff the wire

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?

From Canada:

Vocal Fry Studios aims to create an inclusive podcast space [J-Source]
Inside the Toronto Star's bold plan to save itself [The Walrus]
La Presse goes non-profit [Globe and Mail]
Montreal's La Presse to become non-profit entity [CBC]
COPA awards announce categories for 10th anniversary year [Canadian Magazines]

From The U.S. and beyond:

3 Pieces of Client Feedback That You Can Address Immediately [The Freelancer]
Does pay transparency have the potential to transform freelance work? [Freelancers Union]
Spring cleaning: 3 things to avoid as you ramp up your business [Freelancers Union]
The Cohort: We launched free coaching for women in journalism [Poynter]
5 Industries Freelance Writers Should Be Targeting [Freelance Writing Jobs]

Recently on Story Board:

Why freelancers in marketing and communications should have an email list: If you spend any time studying online marketing you’ve come across advice to start an email list. And if you’re a typical freelancer who gets most of your work from referrals you may think you don’t need one...

Spot a story you think we should include in next week's Off the Wire? Email the link to editor@thestoryboard.ca or tweet us at @storyboard_ca.

Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer May 1-7

May 07, 2018 Editor News newsoff the wire

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?From Canada: There are fewer journalists in Canada than 15 years ago — but not as few as you might think [J-Source] Journalist charged in criminal, civil…

Ten Reasons to Join CMG Freelance

May 03, 2018 Editor Advice advicecmg freelancefreelance lifevideo update

Freelancers, have you been looking for a good reason to join our freelance union? From contract advice to professional development opportunities, CMG Freelance president Don Genova gives you ten reasons in this new video.For more information on the costs and benefits of membership, check out this page on the CMG Freelance website.

Non-fiction book publishing advice for freelance writers

May 02, 2018 Editor Advice advicebook publishingfreelance contractsgetting paid

By Lesley Evans OgdenHave you ever thought about writing a non-fiction book? It’s a daunting undertaking, but for many published book authors, it’s also a rewarding one.In April 2018, Science Writers and Communicators of Canada held their annual conference in Vancouver. During that conference, I moderated a session on book publishing. The three…

Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer April 24-30

April 30, 2018 Editor News newsoff the wire

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?From Canada: Atlantic Journalism Awards -- magazines win 5 gold and 10 silver [Canadian Magazines] Canada back in the top 20 of World Press Freedom Index —…

2018 Access Copyright Payback claim period open until May 31

April 27, 2018 Editor Compensation access copyrightfreelance compensation

If you're a writer or visual artist who is affiliated with Access Copyright, it's time to submit your claim for works published between 1997 and 2016. The 2018 Access Copyright Payback claim period is open until May 31.All creators who were affiliated with Access Copyright as of December 31, 2017 are eligible to submit a claim this year for all…

Webinar: Handling The Physical and Emotional Realities of Journalism

April 25, 2018 Editor Journalism canadian journalism forum on violence and traumajournalismwebinar

Journalism can be a risky business – not just in conflict zones but in many domestic settings as well. The risks have grown steadily across the years, and no one is more vulnerable than the freelancer, working without the technical, physical and emotional support of a single employer, usually at a financial disadvantage too.CMG Freelance recently…

CMG Freelance Member Rachel Sanders named Landsberg Award finalist

April 23, 2018 Editor Journalism

By Don GenovaRachel Sanders is your Story Board editor, and while she would never blow her own horn here, as her supervisor, I'm taking over this post to do a little cheerleading on her behalf.Rachel is one of five finalists for this year's Landsberg Award, given out each year by the Canadian Journalism Foundation in association with the Canadian…

Off the Wire: News for the Canadian media freelancer April 17-23

April 23, 2018 Editor News newsoff the wire

Once a week, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, publishing, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus—and share them in Off the Wire. Who needs a water cooler?From Canada: Long journey of reconciliation ahead at Canada's journalism schools [J-Source] The Canadian Association of Black Journalists is relaunching …

B.C. freelancers invited to participate in Vancity survey

April 19, 2018 Editor Event eventsurveyvancity

Vancity is interested in learning more about the changing nature of work. If you live in B.C. and are a freelance, contract or independent worker, you're invited to participate in the survey the credit union is conducting to try and understand the effect of self-employment on British Columbians.The survey takes about ten minutes to complete and…